The Hindu : National : NKC for functional autonomy for premier educational institutions

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NKC for functional autonomy for premier educational institutions

Special Correspondent

It also suggests review of procedures in existing institutions

Heads of premier institutions to be instituted by independent chair
Institutions should have the widest inputs from academia and society

NEW DELHI: The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) has made out a case for separating the governance mechanisms of premier educational institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) from the day-to-day operations of ministries to avoid “unfortunate situations.”

In a letter to the Prime Minister earlier this month, NKC chairman Sam Pitroda said “it is imperative to separate governance mechanisms from the day-to-day operations of ministries” to protect the functional autonomy of premier institutions like central universities, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), IITs and IIMs.

Written with reference to the major expansion planned for the higher education sector in the XI Five Year Plan, Mr. Pitroda sought to draw attention to the central role of governance structures in allowing the proposed new central universities, IIMs, IITs and AIIMS to grow rapidly, efficiently and productively. The NKC has also suggested a review of procedures in existing institutions.

Search committee

In particular, the Commission wants Directors of institutions like the IITs, IIMs and AIIMS and Vice-Chancellors of central universities to be appointed by a “search committee that has an independent chair capable of exercising the highest quality of judgment” as the “direct involvement of administrative ministries can result in unfortunate situations.”

Similarly, it is of the view that the procedure for appointment of the chairperson and members of governing councils needs to be carefully crafted in order to ensure that the institutions have the benefit of the widest inputs from academia and society.

And, the appointment of heads of institutions must be made well in advance of a vacancy to facilitate smooth transition. Given the fact that these offices have fixed tenures, the NKC’s contention is that there is no reason why this cannot be done in all institutions.

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